Hi All--I got Island Charm in 2002 and have it planted in a spot that gets a couple of hours of sun in the middle of the summer and less at other times of the year. It is an attractive plant early in the season but, like many white centered varieties, has had some burn out problems later in the summer. Its size has gone from 11x5 in 2002 to 13x6, 15x7, 16x6, and 14x7 in 2006. If it makes it to Zilis' listing of 22x10, it will take a long time. The plant needs slug protection.

Sometimes it is the micro-climate, meaning the plant is not getting enough sun or nutrients, even though it is only a short distance from other plants that are doing well. It could be something like a tree root or several rocks just under the root ball.

Most of the time, probably, it is because of the genes of the particular plant. Just like there are some humans and other animals that are "runts" so it is with hostas. All the plants that are being produced by tissue culture have made this problem more common.

I know a lot of people have problems with this one, but I've always had good luck with it even though it's not a real fast grower. When I got it back in 2002 it was 3 separate divisions when the soil was shaken off so I planted them in a cluster in a spot that got some direct & dappled midday sun. They always did well. One of the 3 got sent off in a trade several years ago.

Last fall I moved the other 2 to a spot getting similar sun/shade with Old Glory & the Island Charm sport, Green Lama. I thought that would make a neat combination using the same colors but very different sizes. Green Lama was much bigger than both Island Charms put together. The larger Island Charm was 9" H x 14.5" W, leaves 2.5" W x 3.75" L w/7 vein pairs. The smaller Island Charm was 5" H x 9.5" W, leaves 1.875" W x 3.375" L w/6 vein Pairs. And Green Lama was 13" H x 27" W, leaves 3.75" W x 5.375" L w/7 vein pairs. I divided Green Lama in 1/2 before I planted it.

Here's what they look like this year in a holding bed I've moved them to. Kinda looks like stairsteps. You'd never know that I halved GL & that larger Island Charm has really taken off!!

This was taken a week ago on 5/17.

Here's what they look like today after a nice rain.
The small IC is 3.5" H x 7.5" W, the large IC is 6" H x 13" W, and Green Lama is 11" H x 24" W and still growing!!

I had good success, I guess, with Island Charm. I say I guess, because after I planted it 3 years ago, it didn't grow much. But it did always look good most of the year...in dappled shade also. After hearing many others experiences, I guess mine has been good. After the freeze, though, it is just a tiny little thing, so I think I will dig it up today and pot it. Hopefully some softer soil will help it recover.

Charla--Based on my reading from a number of sources, I believe that in the large majority of cases, the best thing to do with a plant is to leave it in place. The plants are better off having their roots stay in place. When they are dug up and replanted, the roots have to go through a process of re-establishing the contact with the surrounding soil that slows down the overall growth and development of the plant. You also are likely to lose some roots during the transfer.

Obviously, when the plant is in a bad location (wrong lighting, tree roots, really poor soil etc.) it is better off being moved but that is the exception, not the rule.

Thanks for the tip, Hank. I am a little concerned about the soil being part of the problem. We have heavy clay soil, that although well amended, seems still a little heavy, and is getting somewhat compacted again. With a couple of my small ones I am wondering if that is making it hard for them to press through. Is there a way I could loosen the soil then, rather than moving them? I have 3 altogether that are having similar problems. Thanks!

Charla--Fortunately, I don't have any clay to deal with. So, other than the general advice of "put your $5 plants in $50 holes", I can't help much. I think if it was me, I'd try to lift up the entire clump, starting far enough away from the crown so that all of the roots would stay in place in the soil, remove more of the poor soil from the hole and replace it with compost or whatever you have, and then put the clump back into the spot.

I do know that clay soil is a real problem. Why don't you start a separate thread and ask other what they do?